Ched Evans faces retrial

Ched Evans

FOOTBALLER Ched Evans has won his appeal against his conviction for raping a 19-year-old woman.

But Court of Appeal judges in London ordered that he must face a fresh trial.

The former Sheffield United and Wales footballer caused a storm of publicity when he almost signed for Oldham Athletic in January, 2015.

He has always maintained his innocence but his attempts to restart his career with Latics collapsed in the face of a public outcry.

It sparked fury throughout the country with almost 70,000 petitioners declaring their opposition to any deal.

Justice

A stream of sponsors also declared their intention to withdraw support for the club. The pressure mounted on the Latics board and the deal between Evans and the club collapsed, with the striker blaming “mob rule”.

Lady Justice Hallett, announcing the court’s decision, said the judges had heard “fresh evidence” during the appeal hearing on March 22 and 23.

She said: “In summary, we have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a retrial.”

Evans, now 27, was convicted in April, 2012. He was found guilty at Caernarfon Crown Court of raping the woman at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales.

His conviction was referred to the Court of Appeal for review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

In a statement read by a lawyer outside the court’s front entrance, Evans was described as being “extremely grateful” to the appeal judges for quashing his conviction.